Books

“The Lonesome Polar Bear” by Jane Cabrera
“Polar Bear, Polar Bear” by Bill Martin Jr.
“Polar Bear’s Underwear” by Tupera Tupera

Polar Bear (Tune: Mary had a Little Lamb)

Polar bear walks cross the snow
Cross the snow, cross the snow
Polar bear walks cross the snow
Moving very slow
(walk fingers up child’s arm slowly)
Polar bear starts to run real fast
Run real fast, run real fast
Polar bear starts to run real fast
Now he’s home at last
(walk fingers up child’s arm quickly)

Marco

I made enough fish for each child. I said the poem only once, I then called the kids up one by one. They pulled a fish out of a bucket, told me what color is it and then put it on the board near Marco.

Marco the polar bear, as white as the snow
Sat on the ice, near the cold waters flow
Lunch! I need lunch he said
He stuck in his paw and came up with a fish

What color is it?

Source: One Little Librarian

Polar Bear, Polar Bear

Polar bear, polar bear turn around
Polar bear, polar bear touch the ground
Polar bear, polar bend down low
Polar bear, polar bear touch your toes
Polar bear, polar slide on the ice
Polar bear, polar bear spin around twice
Polar bear, polar bear reach up high
Polar bear, polar bear wave goodbye

How it Went: I was a little hesitant to do a polar bear theme story time. I didn’t LOVE any of the books I picked and feared the kids would be able to tell. Even though this wasn’t my favorite story time the children still really enjoyed it. The biggest hit was “Polar Bear’s Underwear,” they also really enjoyed taking turns to pick a fish for Marco.